Robert Kushner, Wild Gardens

DC Moore Gallery, New York

Robert Kushner, Wild Gardens by Duncan Michael

Book Description

Motifs and compositions from Japanese art have been a major influence on Robert Kushner's paintings on canvas and works on paper for many years. However, this body of work marks the first time he has painted directly on antique Japanese folding screens and sliding doors. The works reflect the artist's long-time appreciation of Japanese art and culture combined with his interpretation of composer and visual artist John Cage's "Chance operation" system of composition. Kushner began experimenting several years ago, utilizing elements of Cage's theories of chance composition as a major component in his own painting. Kushner and Cage met on an artist' retreat in the South Seas in 1980 and became friends, sharing interests in art, life, and flowers. Multiple layers of randomness echo throughout the paintings, starting with the sheer accident of the physical survival of the individual antique screens and doors and their arrival in Kushner's New York studio and culminating in the compositions themselves: colour and form are decided by chance operation, and counting and placement systems yield unexpected but surprisingly naturalistic results.
Robert Kushner's informed use of metallic backgrounds and glitter highlights imbues his paintings with uncommon luminosity and depth. The high-quality reproductions in this book serve his palette and large format splendidly. His work hangs in public and private collections worldwide.

Author Biography - Duncan Michael

Critic and curator Michael Duncan is a corresponding editor for "Art in America." His writings have focused on underrated artists of the twentieth century, West Coast modernism, twentieth century figuration, and contemporary California art.

For every $20 you spend on books, you will receive $1 in Boomerang Bucks loyalty dollars. You can use your Boomerang Bucks as a credit towards a future purchase from Boomerang Books. Note that you must be a Member (free to sign up) and that conditions do apply.